Mechanism for Permanently Attaching a Blister Card within a Container

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for permanently attaching a blister card includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a base with a pair of arced protrusions molded into the top plate that bend a blister card around a hook in the bottom plate. The top plate and bottom plate each extend beyond the width of the blister card to ensure a user is unable to bend the blister card back around the hook and arced protrusions. The blister card, once installed by either hand or high speed automated device, cannot be removed from the mechanism.

This application claims priority from, and the benefit of U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/973,308, filed Sep. 18, 2007,and entitled Container for Housing Medication.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to child-resistant containersfor holding blister cards for dispensing product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of child resistant packaging is well known through the art andhas been utilized for goods ranging from household items topharmaceutical products. This type of packaging is very useful when theproduct being contained can be harmful to children. The pharmaceuticalindustry has settled on two main methods of dispensing medication,either loosely in a bottle or more discretely in a blister card.

In the search for better ways to dispense goods in a safe manner therehave been many innovations. U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,838 discloses a childresistant pack that consists of a one-piece molded plastic design, wherethe edge of a blister card is clamped between two opposite sides of thecase. This arrangement does not allow for the blister to be removed fromits plastic housing.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/190,032 discloses a similarcontainer consisting of a one-piece plastic molded design having firstand second clamp sections for capturing the end of a blister card. Thecontainer also includes at-least one child resistant latch on theperiphery of the case for opening outer panels that allow the useraccess to the blister cards. Both U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,838 and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/190,032 require the installation of theblister card in multiple steps, which makes the securing of the blistercard more difficult to automate or accomplish by machine.

Another way of holding a blister card inside a child resistant containedis disclosed by patent application Ser. No. 10/595,196. A plastic outerhousing receives a blister card that slides from an opening in one endof the housing. The blister card is prevented from completely beingremoved from the plastic housing by a plastic catch, that is locatednear the open end of the housing, that enters a pre-cut hole in theblister card and prevents the user from removing the blister card fromthe housing. The same pre-cut hole also retains the blister card in thehousing unless the user presses a button at the un-open end of thehousing to release the blister. This construction provides childresistance, since the card must be pulled and button pressedsimultaneously. One drawback with the foregoing designs is theirreliance upon a catch consistently being received in a pre-cut hole in ablister card. This construction makes it more difficult to automate theprocess, since the blister card must be either inserted into the plastichousing completely or, be set in place before the container is sealed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a locking mechanism for permanentlyretaining a blister card within a child resistant container. The presentinvention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks by creating a one-pieceinexpensive design that prevents the user from removing the blister cardfrom its housing while also ensuring an easy and simple method ofinstalling the blister card. In one embodiment of the present invention,a one-way attachment mechanism for a blister card includes a lockingsystem having a top plate, a bottom plate, and a base that cooperativelyallow a blister card to enter the attachment mechanism, but prevents itsremoval. The top plate and bottom plate are attached to the base. Thetop plate consists of a top center section and top extensions thatextend from the top center section to either side along the length ofthe base. The bottom plate consists of a bottom center section andbottom extensions that lengthen from either side of the bottom centersection along the length of the base

Stiffening ribs are molded into the outside surface of the bottom plate.A hook molded into the inner surface of the bottom plate and extendstowards the top plate before bending downward toward the base. A pair ofarced protrusions is molded into the inner surface of the top centersection across from the hook. The arced protrusions are on either sideof said hook and leave only a small space between the arced protrusionsand the bottom center section.

In another embodiment, a single arced protrusion can be positioned justacross and allows for a one way entry by pressing against the upper areaof the hook and creating a pressure seal that will not allow a user toremove the blister card.

This orientation allows the blister to be loaded by hand or morepreferably by high-speed automation equipment. The one motion loadingsystem utilizes a blister card with opening after is pushed by the arcedprotrusion and then secured around the hook.

The combination of the top plate and the bottom plate form the presentinvention and can be utilized to permanently hold a blister card to anycontainer by attaching the attachment mechanism to a base. Thisattachment mechanism can be used by any enclosure be it child-proof ornot in order to provide the enclosure with the ability to increaseproduction by having a system that can be easily automated and willassist in any requirement for child-safety.

The means by which the present invention obtains its child resistance,as shown in the drawings, is fully disclosed in the commonly owned U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/649,466.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bemore fully disclosed in or rendered obvious by the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments, which are to be consideredtogether with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a broken-away perspective view of a blister card latch formedin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom front perspective view of the blister attachmentmechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top front perspective view of the blister attachmentmechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom front perspective view of the blister attachmentmechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the blister attachment mechanism shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the blister attachment mechanismshown in FIG. 1, as taken along lines 100-100 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the blister attachment mechanism shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the blister attachment mechanism shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the blister attachment mechanism shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is top front perspective view of the blister attachmentmechanism within a child-resistant container in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the blister attachment mechanism within achild-resistant container shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the blister attachment mechanism within achild-resistant container shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the blister attachment mechanismwithin a child-resistant container shown in FIG. 10, as taken alonglines 200-200 in FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14-15 are each a side view of the blister attachment mechanismwithin a child-resistant container in accordance with the presentinvention depicting the typical succession of inserting a blister card;

FIG. 16 is a top front perspective view of the blister attachmentmechanism within a container having an inserted blister card inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the blister attachment mechanismwithin a container having an inserted blister card shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a top view of a prior art blister card as associated with theblister attachment mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be consideredpart of the entire written description of this invention. The drawingfigures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of theinvention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematicform in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description,relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and“bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,”“downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to theorientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure underdiscussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description andnormally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Termsincluding “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral”and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relativeto an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, asappropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, suchas “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship whereinstructures are secured or attached to one another either directly orindirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable orrigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly describedotherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment,coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operateas intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims,means-plus-function clauses, if used, are intended to cover thestructures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the writtendescription or drawings for performing the recited function, includingnot only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, blister card latch 1 that provides forone-motion engagement with a blister card 3 includes top plate 4, bottomplate 10, and base 2. Top plate 4 and bottom plate 10 sit perpendicularto base 2 at a relatively close proximity when compared to a blistercard 30. A close proximity is defined as being between 0.5 mm (0.02 in)and 0.97 mm (0.038 in) apart for a blister card with a height of 0.38 mm(0.015 in). Top plate 4 includes top extensions 5, which extend outwardfrom a raised, top center portion along the length of base 2. The bottomplate 10 similarly has bottom extensions 11, which extend along thelength of base 2 away from a raised bottom center portion of bottomplate 10. The extensions 5 and 11 provide a guard against any tamperingwith blister card 30 (FIGS. 14-17) in an attempt to circumvent blistercard latch 1. The top extensions 5 and bottom extensions 11 also providemore positional stability and rigidity. Stiffening ribs 14 located on aouter surface of bottom plate 10 help to reinforce the structure so auser cannot separate bottom plate 10 from top plate 4 and therebyrelease blister card 30 from blister card latch 1.

Hook 12 is molded or attached to an inner surface of bottom plate 10 andensures that blister card 30 (FIG. 14) cannot be removed from container20 (FIG. 10). Hook 12 is J-shaped and normally bends toward base 2.Arced protrusions or ramps 6 are molded or attached to the inner surfaceof top plate 4. The arced protrusions 6 begin at the forward end of topplate 4 and curve backward and connect with base 2. Arced protrusions 6are located on either side of hook 12 so as to force blister card 30,during assembly, to bend slightly upon installation into blister cardlatch 1, while providing an alignment feature for installing blistercard 30. This combination also prevents a user from removing blistercard 30 once it has been inserted into the blister card latch 1, whileallowing for either a person or a machine to install blister card 30into the blister card latch 1 by sliding it into under arced protrusions6 and over hook 12. Significantly, with this construction, blister card30 cannot be bent enough to reverse the procedure due to the orientationand spacing of hook 12 and arced protrusions 6 relative to topextensions 5 and bottom extensions 11 thus halting any severemanipulation of blister card 30. Referring to FIGS. 10-13, blister cardlatch 1 may be combined with child resistant container 20 andchild-resistant feature 24 so as to keep child resistant container 20sealed around blister card latch 1 via a pair of hinges 26 attached tobase 2 and child resistant container 20.

Referring to FIGS. 14-15 and 16-17, blister card 30 may be inserted intoblister card latch 1 so as to be permanently attached, via notch 32, inblister card 30. Top plate extensions 5 and bottom plate extensions 11cover the areas around notch 32 to prevent any bending of blister card30 since, if blister card 30 were able to bend, a user might be able todisable blister card latch 1.

It is to be understood that the present invention is by no means limitedto the particular constructions herein disclosed and shown in thedrawings, but also comprises any modifications or equivalents within thescope of the claims.

1. A locking mechanism for attaching a blister card to a containercomprising: a base; a top plate connected to said base; a bottom plateconnected to said base; and a hook connected to said bottom plate. 2.The locking mechanism for attaching a blister card to a containeraccording to claim 1 further comprising top extensions that extendoutwardly from a raised center portion of said top plate and that areattach to said base.
 3. The locking mechanism for attaching a blistercard to a container according to claim 2 comprising bottom extensionsthat extend outwardly from a center portion of said bottom plate andthat are attach to said base.
 4. The locking mechanism for attaching ablister card to a container according to claim 3 comprising at least onerib that is attached to said bottom plate.
 5. A locking mechanism forattaching a blister card to a container according to claim 4 whereinsaid base is attached to a child-resistant container.
 6. A lockingmechanism for attaching a blister card to a container according to claim5 wherein said base is attached to a child-resistant container by twohinges.
 7. A locking mechanism for attaching a blister card to acontainer comprising: a base; a top plate having an inner and an outersurface that are oriented perpendicular to said base, said top plateincluding a center section and two top extensions that extend outwardlyfrom said center section, and two arced protrusions located on an innersurface of said center section; a bottom plate having an inner and anouter surface that are oriented perpendicular to said base, said bottomplate including a center section and two top extensions that extendoutwardly from said center section, a hook centered on said centersection of said bottom plate, and at least one stiffening rib attachedto the outer surface of said bottom plate and said base.
 8. A lockingmechanism for attaching a blister card to a container according to claim7 wherein said two arced protrusions are spaced-apart so that one arcedprotrusion is located on each side of said hook.
 9. A locking mechanismfor attaching a blister card to a container according to claim 7 whereinsaid inner surface of said top plate and said inner surface of saidbottom plate are arranged in close proximity to one another.
 10. Alocking mechanism for attaching a blister card to a container accordingto claim 9 further comprising a child-resistant container attached tosaid base.
 11. A locking mechanism for attaching a blister card to acontainer according to claim 9 wherein said base is attached to achild-resistant container by two hinges.
 12. A locking mechanism forattaching a blister card to a container comprising: a base attached to achild-resistant container via two hinges; a top plate having an innersurface and an outer surface oriented in perpendicular relation to saidbase, said top plate including a center section, two top extensions thatextend outwardly from said center section, and two arced protrusionslocated on an inside surface of said center section; a bottom platehaving in inner surface and an outer surface oriented in perpendicularrelation to said base, said bottom plate including a center section, twotop extensions that extend outwardly from said center section, and ahook centered on said center section of said bottom plate, with at leastone stiffening rib attached to an outer surface of said bottom plate andsaid base.